Technology for Identification of Pantholops hodgsonii Fibres in Specialty Textile Samples

This technology relates to primers and kit for the detection of restricted materials obtained from Pantholops hodgsonii especially in textile samples. In particular, this technology relates to a process and a kit for the identification of fiber samples of Pantholops hodgsonii from raw wool, yarn and woven shawls. The technology provides a quantitative PCR detection kit for identification of DNA from fibers (hair shaft) of Pantholops hodgsonii species comprising specifically designed primers according to mitochondrial genome sequences of closely related species. The method covered here can identify even a few fibers without guard hair belonging to Shahtoosh. The primers amplified Shahtoosh DNA are as low as 10 copies in SYBR Green-based assay. The technology has immense application in the detection of fibers of Pantholops hodgsonii in specialty textile samples like raw wool, yarn and woven shawls. It shall promote fair trade practices and prevent the illegal wildlife trade. The technology developed is aligned to the goals of Mission LiFE.

The technology achieves the identification of restricted materials of animal origin in speciality textiles, i.e., Pantholops hodgsonii (Chiru) fibers in textile samples in the following steps:

• Collection, storage and transporting of samples from raw fiber, yarn or fabric
• Extraction of hair DNA extraction kit using standardized instructions
• performing qPCR using the DNA extracted.

• An efficient DNA based quantitative PCR to identify the species of animal. 
•  Imparts accuracy to the detection method.
• The technology achieves the identification of restricted materials of animal origin in speciality textiles.
• Extremely useful for pashmina exporters, and International Customs to trace Shahtush fibers.